Sheet-metal box.



F. FoucHE. SHEET METAL BOX.

(Application filed Oct. 13, 1900.)

(No Model.)

Patented Aug. [3, I901.

WITNESSES INVENTO A TTOHNE Y S UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

SHEET-METAL BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 680,288, dated August 13, 1901.

Application filed October 13, 1900.

Serial No. 32,966. (No model.)

Be it known that I, FREDERIG FOUGHE, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Paris, France, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sheet Metal Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to sheet-metal boxes or cans such as are used for containing sardines, preserves, and the like; and the object of the invention is to provide an improved construction whereby in the act of rolling up the cover by a key the body of the box is permitted to remain intact without any portion of the box being removed with the cover or top; and a further object of the invention is to provide means for hermetically sealing the contents of the box-body.

To these ends my invention consists of a sheet-metal box or can comprisingabox-body of stamped sheet metal provided with an exterior flange at its rim, said flange being approximately of inverted-U shape in crosssection, so that its outer edge has a down turn, while the curve of its inner portion merges directly into and forms an unbroken continuation of the side Walls of the box-body, a cover or top resting upon the convex portion of the inverted- U-shaped flange and extending beyond the line of contact, so as to provide arecess between the edge of the flange and the top, and a suitable filling or soldering in said recess, all as will be hereinafter particularly described and then claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of my improved sheetmetal box, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the body of my improved sheet-metal box or can, the said body being stamped up from suitable sheet metal, such as tin, so as to form at its upper edge an exterior or surrounding flange, which is of inverted-U shape in cross-section, or approximately so. The curve of the inner portion of the inverted- U -shaped flange merges directly into and forms an unbroken continuation of the side walls of the boxbody, while the U shape given to the flange causes its outer edge to have a downward turn. Upon the convex upper surface of the inverted- U -shaped flange rests a cover or top 0, the outer edge of which cover or top projects beyond the line of contact of the cover or top with said flange, so as to provide between the said projecting edge and the downward-turned outer edge of the flange a groove or recess D ,Which surrounds the box and into which the soldering agent may be run in the form of a ribbon, or it may be poured therein in liquid condition. The soldering agent may also be made in the form of a paste,which is applied to the groove or recess and then melted by a soldering-iron or otherwise.

The can or box is opened as usual thatisto say, by means of a suitable key of wellknown construction, upon which the thin cover or top is Wound in the act of opening the box. The inverted-U-shaped flange B results in the reinforcing of the flange and forms a resistance against its being pulled off of the box-body or being wound up with the cover, which would prevent the proper opening of the box.

When the box or can is constructed as de scribed, the con tents thereof are hermetically sealed, and at the same time the cover or top may be conveniently removed by means of a key without injury to the box-body or without any portion of the same interfering with the proper opening of the cover or top.

7 Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten-t- A sheet-metal box or can, consisting of a box-body of stamped sheet metal, provided with an exterior flange at its rim, said flange being approximatelyof inverted-U shape in cross-section, so that its outer edge has a down turn, While the curve of its inner portion merges directly into and forms an unbroken continuation of the side walls of the box-body, a cover or top resting upon the convex portion of the 'iuverted-U-shaped flange and extending beyond the line of contact so as to provide a recess between the edge of the flange and the top, and a suitable filling or soldering in said recess, substantially as set forth. 7

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EREDERIO FOUCHE.

Witnesses:

EDMOND BERTIN, J osEPH CARY. 

